We are a world away from where we were last July. Many people have begun to forget all about the pandemic, especially if they don’t watch cable news… and especially if they weren’t personally touched by it with illness or loss. It is important to remember that people were though. I know someone personally who was not permitted to visit his mother in her nursing home. He had to watch her die through a window. If you were lucky, count your blessings. If you weren’t, then you understand.

I interact with a lot of people and go to meetings with people from all over the state. I normally get sick once or twice a year. I have not been sick since February of 2020. I have been more diligent about hand washing, cleaning things that I touch, avoiding touching dirty things, etc. I avoid close talkers. I enforce personal space. The knowledge that you lose is amazing. I remember being taught in filthy 1970’s New York how to work a public toilet with my shoe. elbow the door, etc. When we were sick, it was cover your mouth, don’t share towels, wash your hands and face a lot every day, etc. We used to do a lot more to protect against infection.

I am making a conscious effort to think more about minimizing my risk with simple things that I can do. I like not being sick, so I am going to try hard to continue doing these things. I hope you do too. While we’re at it, if you are not vaccinated, talk to your doctor. Don’t take my advice on vaccines. Unless your neighbor is also your doctor, don’t take their advice. Don’t let a talking head or politician convince you whether or not to vaccinate. Talk to your family and the only person qualified to give you health care advice, your doctor. ~ Steve